The Chris Hedges Report

Ralph Nader, a revered consumer advocate and former presidential candidate, discusses the urgent need for civic engagement against the backdrop of Trump’s regime. He identifies Trump’s actions as fascistic, highlighting how corporate influences weaken the Democratic Party. Nader urges Americans to reclaim their power, detailing policy opportunities that could rally voters. His latest book, Citizen Self-Respect, advocates for organized advocacy, emphasizing that civic action is necessary to combat governmental overreach and restore democratic values.

Medea Benjamin and CODEPINK, the organization she cofounded, are synonymous with accosting power in the United States. Their fearless confrontations with the nation’s most prominent and powerful politicians in the halls of Congress, often seen through viral videos, are a stark embodiment of the First Amendment. Despite over 20 years of activism and consistent critique of America’s representatives over their subservience to the military industrial complex and other big money interests, their ability to have these conversations is beginning to dwindle.   Benjamin joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to discuss the current moment in American politics, which sees free speech sitting on a knife’s edge following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the American political class’s continued support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.   Benjamin was recently arrested after questioning Rep. Darrell Issa about Israel’s recent airstrike targeting Hamas negotiators in Qatar. Despite police saying she did nothing wrong, Issa continued with lodging a complaint against her, a move she believes is also in line with the suppression of activists and free speech.   Furthermore, after CODEPINK activists confronted Donald Trump and his cabinet at a restaurant and chanted at the president, ““Free DC, free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time,” Trump said he is looking into having US Attorney General Pam Bondi bring RICO charges against the protestors “because they should be put in jail.”

Max Blumenthal, Editor of The Gray Zone and investigative journalist, dives deep into the complexities of contemporary censorship, likening it to McCarthyism. He discusses the nuanced relationship between conservative Charlie Kirk and the Zionist lobby, questioning support shifts within Kirk's base. Blumenthal sheds light on the political exploitation of dissent following high-profile assassinations and the implications for U.S. democracy. The conversation also touches on themes of political violence, societal polarization, and the manipulation of narratives to enforce surveillance and repression.

Raz Segal, an Israeli historian and an associate professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University, analyzes how the weaponization and distortion of the Holocaust, in the midst of the genocide in Gaza, has been used to serve the narrative of Zionists and the Israeli government. He tells host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report: “We know that Holocaust education eventually was more focused on transmitting this feeling of exceptionality than actually teaching about Holocaust as history, as real history, as normal history, as a part, indeed, of the making of the modern and late modern world.” Segal recounts his personal experience learning about the Holocaust in Israel, revealing a Zionist perspective that is both skewed and contradictory. “Jews, because they were a unique people, always faced a unique hatred, anti-Semitism, which then culminated in a unique genocide, really the only genocide ever in human history, in this framework: the Holocaust,” he explains. Though Segal outgrew this propagandized view, he explains that many in Israel and its international supporters still frame Jews and the Holocaust as exceptional. This belief in exceptionalism, Segal argues, blurs the history that led to the Holocaust and the events that have followed. “We really can't understand the phenomena of modern genocide without understanding the nation-state system, the exclusionary nation system and colonialism, European expansion around the world, settler colonialism and colonial genocides that accompanied this expansion for hundreds of years,” Segal contends.

Anthony Aguilar, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and former Green Beret, shares chilling insights from his time in Gaza, where he worked as a subcontractor for a humanitarian group. He reveals the stark contrast between the façade of aid and the reality of military operations backing it. Aguilar discusses the pervasive destruction and human rights violations he witnessed, alongside the militarization of humanitarian efforts. His frontline stories underscore the desperation faced by civilians and highlight the troubling tactics deployed by Israeli forces, shedding light on the complexities of providing aid in such conflict zones.

Ben Anderson, a seasoned journalist and documentary filmmaker known for his intense coverage of conflicts, joins to share the realities of war reporting. He discusses the emotional toll of navigating combat zones and his early idealism versus harsh realities in Afghanistan. Anderson reveals the complexities of military culture and its impact on journalistic integrity. He also highlights critical issues like drug addiction in Afghan law enforcement and the therapeutic potential of MDMA for PTSD. His commitment to truth in storytelling amidst chaos is both inspiring and sobering.

Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA, discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza exacerbated by operational restrictions and funding cuts. She highlights UNRWA's critical role in providing essential services amid ongoing violence and legal challenges. Kronenfeld critiques the international community's hypocrisy and emphasizes the importance of supporting Palestinian rights. The conversation also touches on the emotional toll on humanitarian workers and showcases the grassroots efforts to raise funds for immediate aid in Gaza.

Rollo Romig, a journalist and author of "I Am On the Hit List," joins to discuss the harrowing case of Gauri Lankesh, an Indian journalist murdered by far-right extremists. He connects her story to the rise of Hindu nationalism under Modi’s BJP, drawing parallels with rising authoritarianism in the U.S. Romig sheds light on how fringe groups mainstream extremist ideologies, threatening press freedom. The conversation dives into the dark side of social media, the targeting of journalists, and the political violence that underpins these troubling trends.

In this gripping discussion, attorney and human rights activist Jennifer Harbury recounts her firsthand experiences of the Guatemalan genocide, revealing the chilling role of the CIA and U.S. support for oppressive regimes. She draws eerie parallels between past atrocities in Guatemala and current humanitarian crises in Gaza. Harbury delves into the resilience of indigenous communities, their struggles for rights, and the psychological scars left by state-sponsored violence. Her powerful narrative uncovers a dark history often overshadowed by silence.

Roger Waters, the iconic Pink Floyd musician and dedicated political activist, joins Chris Hedges to discuss his unwavering support for Palestinian rights and resistance against state violence. Waters reflects on the sacrifices he's made for justice, critiques rising authoritarianism, and emphasizes the power of social movements in advocating for marginalized groups. He explores the intersection of art and activism, the failures of liberal leadership, and the ongoing fight for free speech amidst a climate of oppression, sharing insights on love and truth during tumultuous times.